U.S. patent application number 11/992623 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for remote controllable locking device for a vehicle.
Invention is credited to Ulrich Muller.
Application Number | 20090113961 11/992623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35530557 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090113961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muller; Ulrich |
May 7, 2009 |
Remote Controllable Locking Device for a Vehicle
Abstract
The invention relates to a remote controlled locking device for
vehicles, a stationary lock being located inside the vehicle and a
portable electronic key (20) being in the possession of an
authorized person. The key (20) comprises a display for actual data
of the locking and/or operating states of the vehicle as well as a
keypad for calling up this data and/or for controlling the future
locking and/or operating states from the vehicle. In order to
obtain small dimensions of the key, the invention provides that
both the display as well as the keypad (22 to 24) are located at
the same location in the key (20) and, to this end, a touch screen
(21) is used.
Inventors: |
Muller; Ulrich; (Velbert,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRIEDRICH KUEFFNER
317 MADISON AVENUE, SUITE 910
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
35530557 |
Appl. No.: |
11/992623 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
September 27, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/009171 |
371 Date: |
March 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/256 ;
340/5.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/24 20130101;
G07C 9/00182 20130101; G07C 2209/62 20130101; G07C 2009/00261
20130101; G07C 9/00944 20130101; B60R 25/2009 20130101; E05B 19/22
20130101; Y10T 70/5973 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
70/256 ;
340/5.26 |
International
Class: |
E05B 65/12 20060101
E05B065/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 015 165.3 |
Claims
1. A remote-controllable locking device for a motor vehicle (10)
with at least one stationary lock (11 to 13) in the motor vehicle
(10) and with a portable electronic key (20, 30) in the possession
of an authorized person, where the key (20, 30) has a display for
the current data of the locking and/or operating states of the
motor vehicle (10) and a keypad for retrieving this data and/or for
controlling the future locking and/or operating states of the motor
vehicle (10), wherein both the display (22 to 24) and the keypad
(22 to 24) are positioned in the same place in the key (20) and are
formed by a touchscreen (21).
2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operating
states of individual parts (11 to 15) of the motor vehicle or other
devices (16 to 19) integrated in the motor vehicle are displayed
and/or controlled as a function of the particular touch operation
and touch operation sequence of the display screen (21).
3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, besides the locks
(11 to 13) in the doors, trunk, or hatch of the motor vehicle, it
is possible to display and/or control an auxiliary heater in the
motor vehicle, the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle,
the fuel tank level (18) of the motor vehicle, the state of charge
of the batteries (17), the current odometer reading (16) and/or the
number of miles the motor vehicle can still be driven with the
present fuel tank level.
4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein navigation data for
the present location of the motor vehicle (10), data for optical or
acoustic position finding of the motor vehicle, the temperature
inside and/or outside the motor vehicle, the temperature of
individual devices in the motor vehicle, the present time of day
(35), and/or the date of the next motor vehicle inspection can be
displayed on the touchscreen (21).
5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein during the startup
of the display and/or the control function of the electronic key
(20 to 30), a code keypad appears on the touchscreen (21) and is
used by the authorized person to enter the specific PIN number for
the electronic key (20, 30) and for the associated motor vehicle
(10), and that the electronic key (20, 30) becomes or remains
operationally ready only when the correct PIN number is
entered.
6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic key
(20, 30) is part of an alarm system (18) of the motor vehicle and
acts as an alarm signaling device in the event of a theft or
break-in of the motor vehicle.
7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic key
(20, 30) serves as an alarm for traffic congestion messages and/or
its touchscreen serves to display traffic congestion messages, and
that these traffic congestion messages are issued by a navigation
system, which is located in the motor vehicle or integrated in the
electronic key (20, 30) and into which a desired driving
destination has been programmed.
8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, when the device is
not in use, the touchscreen (21) and the associated electronics in
the key are shut off or placed in power-saving mode to preserve its
power supply.
9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the electronic key
(20, 20) turns on automatically when it is started.
10. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the electronic key
is turned on manually by operation (26) of a switch (25) located on
the housing of the electronic key.
11. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein when the
electronic key (20, 30) is not being used, the display side of the
touchscreen (21) is covered.
12. A device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the cover
consists of a rotating flap, a sliding cover, or a slip cover.
Description
[0001] Locking devices for motor vehicles are known in which the
locks on the doors, hoods, and hatches of the motor vehicle can
already be locked or unlocked from a distance by a so-called
"electronic key". The remote control is accomplished by coded
electromagnetic signals between transmitters and receivers in the
motor vehicle, on the one hand, and in the key, on the other hand.
This can be done monodirectionally or bidirectionally.
[0002] DE 41 02 020 A1 discloses a locking device of the type
specified in the introductory clause of Claim 1. In this locking
device, the key already has a display for displaying current data
regarding the locking and/or operating states of the motor vehicle.
The communication for the identification of the code goes through a
main transmitter in the key and a main receiver in the motor
vehicle. However, besides these, there are also an auxiliary
transmitter in the motor vehicle and an auxiliary receiver in the
key, which acquire the data in the motor vehicle and make it
optically readable in a display of the key. Various function keys
are provided for this purpose in the key. These function keys
interact with a central processing unit provided in the key in
order to retrieve the given data that is desired.
[0003] To make several data simultaneously readable, the display in
the key must be sufficiently large. The number of keys in the
keypad of the key also increases with the number of functions that
are to be displayed. This is inconsistent with the general goal of
designing the electronic key as small as possible, so that it can
be easily carried in pant pockets or jacket pockets.
[0004] The objective of the invention is to develop a locking
device of the type specified in the introductory clause of Claim 1,
in which the key has small dimensions despite its varied display
possibilities. In accordance with the invention, this objective is
achieved by the measures specified in Claim 1, which have the
following special significance.
[0005] The invention proposes to position both the display and the
keypad in the same place in the key. This is possible because a
so-called "touch-sensitive display screen" is integrated in the
key. The touchscreen allows data to be displayed, and at the same
time its screen surface can also be used as a keypad for retrieving
data and/or controlling locking and/or operating states in the
motor vehicle. A touch-sensitive display screen of this type is
also known as a "touchscreen".
[0006] Touchscreens of this type are well known in themselves and
are used in cell phones, smart phones, industrial PC's, in
information terminals in home entertainment, or in office copiers.
Another important area of application of touchscreens is their use
in terminals in financial institutions, e.g., for transfers or
automatic teller machines. However, it has not been suggested that
these well-known touchscreens also be applied to electronic keys
and associated locking devices in motor vehicles.
[0007] The key of the invention makes it possible, depending on the
touch operation of the screen, to read the current operating states
of individual motor vehicle parts or other devices integrated in
the motor vehicle and, conversely, if necessary, to control them
from the key. This can apply to practically all elements and data
in the motor vehicle.
[0008] Operating states to be displayed and/or controlled could
include, besides the locks in the doors, trunk, or hatch of the
motor vehicle, an auxiliary heater in the motor vehicle, the air
conditioning system of the motor vehicle, the fuel tank level of
the motor vehicle, the charge status of the batteries, the current
odometer reading, the number of miles the motor vehicle can still
be driven with the present fuel tank level, or the like.
[0009] In addition, however, general data can also be displayed or
requested, such as the present location of the motor vehicle as
determined by a navigation system, the temperature inside and/or
outside the motor vehicle, the temperature of individual devices in
the motor vehicle, the time of day, or the date of the next motor
vehicle inspection.
[0010] The display screen in the touchscreen of the key also makes
it possible, when the motor vehicle is to be started, to offer the
motor vehicle operator a numerical keypad to allow him to enter a
PIN number to prove his authorization to operate the motor vehicle
and/or to retrieve data from the motor vehicle. This occurs on the
model of the proof of authorization to use a cell phone.
[0011] However, the key can also be part of an alarm system that
acts as an alarm signaling device to determine a theft or break-in
of the motor vehicle and notify the owner of the key. The
electronic key can also be used to provide traffic congestion
messages during the use of a motor vehicle navigation system, after
the desired driving destination has previously been programmed into
the system. In combination with the time display, the electronic
key also becomes an alerting system that reminds the owner of the
electronic key of appointments, etc.
[0012] When the device is not in use, the touchscreen and the
associated electronics in the key are shut off or placed in sleep
mode to preserve the power source in the key. The touchscreen and
the associated electronics can be started up automatically by
starting the key. However, they can also be turned on by operating
an on/off switch provided on the key. It is advisable to combine
the latter method in connection with the aforementioned PIN
number.
[0013] Finally, to prevent damage to the touchscreen by other
objects when the device is being carried in one's pocket, it is
advisable to cover the touchscreen when it is not in use. This can
be accomplished with a rotating flap, a sliding cover, or a slip
cover.
[0014] The drawings show a specific embodiment of the invention in
various operating modes for various touch operations.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first phase
involving the use of an electronic key that belongs to a motor
vehicle and is furnished with a touchscreen.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the same key as in FIG. 1 after a first reply
from the motor vehicle has appeared on the touchscreen.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows the same electronic key for displaying or
controlling other functions in or around the motor vehicle.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows schematically an electronic key 20 and a motor
vehicle 10 with those devices that can remotely communicate with
the electronic key 20 and, when necessary, receive commands from
the key 20. The key 20 is specially designed for this purpose.
[0019] The key 20 contains a touch-sensitive display screen 21,
whose visible screen surface simultaneously serves as a keypad,
which can be operated in certain fields, e.g., at 22 to 24 in the
illustrated embodiment, in order to transmit corresponding control
commands to the motor vehicle 10.
[0020] The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with various devices, nine
examples of which (11 to 19) are shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment
illustrated here, there are locks 11, 12 in the doors and an
additional lock 13 for the trunk. There may also be locking devices
14, 15 for the hood or the roof of the motor vehicle. Finally, the
motor vehicle 10 has many other devices, including, for example, an
odometer 16, an on-board battery 17, an antitheft system 18, and a
fuel gauge 19. Naturally, many other instruments and devices could
be provided that can be interrogated with respect to the current
operating state and, if necessary, remotely controlled from the key
20.
[0021] In the present case, the key 20 has an on/off switch 25,
which is pressed to activate the key 20. Other possible means of
accomplishing this are specified in the claims. In the specific
embodiment of FIG. 1, the screen 21 has a mode key 22, which, when
actuated, displays a changing sequence of operating modes. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the operating readiness of the
key with respect to the trunk lid of the motor vehicle 10 is
displayed alphanumerically or graphically. At the same time, the
current locking state of the trunk lid can be displayed in the
other touch operating fields 23 or 24. This can be made known by
symbolic representations that are suitably different in brightness
and/or color. For example, the reply is received in the display
field 24 that the trunk lid is open. The user can then immediately
react to this display in the display field 24 by locking the trunk
lock 23 or setting in motion a locking mechanism for closing the
trunk lid by means of the adjacent touch operating field 23.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a case that is an alternative to FIG. 1 and
also involves the trunk lid. In this case, the current state of
operation of the part of the motor vehicle previously selected by
the user by operation of the display screen 21 is displayed in a
field 27, which is possibly larger than the touch operating fields
22-24 shown in FIG. 1. This part of the motor vehicle is again the
trunk lid. If the authorized user does not want the state of
operation announced in the display field 27, he can operate an
appropriately labeled field 29 in the adjacent field of the display
screen 21, which now operates as a keypad. This causes the control
command "open the trunk lid", which appears in this field 29, to be
transmitted.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the same or an alternative key 30, in which the
corresponding touchscreen 21 not only provides a display of the
given current conditions in the motor vehicle but also, after a
certain mode has been selected, offers various touch fields 31 to
33, with which the given conditions can be changed. This is
illustrated in FIG. 3 with graphic symbols A to F. In addition,
there is a display field 34, in which, for example, the current
odometer reading of the motor vehicle 10 is numerically displayed
on the electronic key 30. After a certain prompt time has elapsed,
the key 30 can also spontaneously and automatically relay control
commands to the motor vehicle 10 to initiate certain desired
functions, e.g., to turn on an auxiliary heater in the motor
vehicle.
[0024] The number of other possibilities has already been explained
in the specification.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0025] 10 motor vehicle [0026] 11 first door lock [0027] 12 second
door lock [0028] 13 trunk lock of 10 [0029] 14 locking device for
motor vehicle hood [0030] 15 locking device for motor vehicle roof
[0031] 16 first device for 10, odometer [0032] 17 second device for
10, on-board battery [0033] 18 third device for 10, antitheft
system [0034] 19 fourth device for 10, fuel gauge [0035] 20 first
electrical lock [0036] 21 touchscreen of 20 or 30 [0037] 22 display
field/touch operating field, mode key [0038] 23 display field/touch
operating field, function key [0039] 24 display field/touch
operating field, function key [0040] 25 on/off switch on 20 or 30
[0041] 26 pressure operation of 25 [0042] 27 first display/touch
field (FIG. 2) [0043] 28 second display/touch field (FIG. 2) [0044]
29 touch operating field of 28 (FIG. 2) [0045] 30 electronic key
(FIG. 3) [0046] 31 first display/touch operating field of 21 (FIG.
3) [0047] 32 second display/touch operating field of 21 (FIG. 3)
[0048] 33 third display/touch operating field of 21 (FIG. 3) [0049]
34 numerical display field on 30 [0050] 35 time display on 30
* * * * *